Popular questions

Hi there. Check the fluid in the reservoir. Top off all fluids that are low. If the fluid was low, then look for any visible leaks. If the fluid is full and there are no leaks, then check to see...

The drive belt is visible when you open the hood. Some cars have multiple belts. Some have one belt that "drives" all the external engine components like the water pump, a/c compressor, alternator, and power steering pump. The timing belt...

Hi there: The only thing I imagine that could cause this problem is if you accidentally removed an ignition wire or wire to connected to the starter relay. There should be no reason why replacing a valve cover gasket on...

Since the vehicle is over 25 years old and with over 220,000 miles the engine and vehicle may have more than one problem. If your engine is only having the problems when you get it warmed up then you have...

If the battery is weak enough, it is possible that it may have enough power to power the gauges in the dash, but not enough to engage the starter. This may also be related to a bad ground connection at...

The good news is you know which wheel the sound is coming from. Locating which wheel is making a noise is often a challenging task. Unfortunately, it sounds as though you need a wheel bearing. When the noise is this...

Hi there, thanks for writing in. There are a lot of possible causes of this. Most of the time it is caused by a fuel system issue. When you get smoke like this it is usually caused by excessive fuel...

Check all of the sensors and make sure that they are plugged in all the way. The computer system with the sensors are designed to adjust themselves as elevation changes. This is why all vehicles today have computers in them...

Unfortunately, there is no way to tell without doing some more testing. The timing and small details about the noises you are hearing may make a huge difference in diagnosing the issue. Lifters will make more of a "clicking"...

It sounds like you are getting a bad reading from the crankshaft or camshaft sensor. Have the computer scanned and the data stream monitored for problems with the two sensors to see which one is causing the stall and erratic...

This truck came with a three different size engines. The most common reasons for no starts are the engine timing belt is broken. The fuel pump is not pumping and would need replacement. A qualified mechanic would be able to...

There are a relatively large number of Technical Service Bulletins that GM has issued covering faults and difficulties with electrical components in your vehicle (ref: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on-line database which we searched for your year, make and...

There are quite a few labs (just do Internet search) that perform passenger car engine oil analyses and such a service is economical as it is done through the mail. Visual observation, in the circumstances you are describing, will not...

Hello, thank you for writing in. The decision to invest in an older car is difficult, even more so when you do not have the car in front of you. A failed clutch can interfere with the flywheel causing the...

Hey there. It is very possible that your timing belt may have broken. It is also possible that some internal damage may have occurred to the engine. I would recommend having another mechanic give you a second opinion on what...

Hi there. You could try to jump start your car, but if the fuel pump is broken, the added electricity will not help. A car will not start for multiple reasons, ranging from a damaged fuel pump, bad battery or...

Hi There, It sounds like you may have a faulty connection or potentially a faulty starter relay not allowing power to be sent to the starter solenoid. The starter relay directs power from the battery to the starter solenoid which...

Hi there. Check the wiring from the horn button to the horn and see if there is any loose wiring or any shorted wires. If all the wiring looks good, then the issue is within the steering column. The horn...

Hello. I recommend checking the operation of the thermostat to ensure it opens and closes at the proper temperature. You also could have some air in your cooling system causing the heating system to blow cold at inappropriate times. To...

It is very common for the cylinder head gasket on these engines to leak oil and coolant. You may have to replace the cylinder head if it is damaged. If you have water mixed in the engine oil, then...

There is a tensioner pulley that keeps the correct amount of tension on your serpentine belt. When these bearings wear out, they can cause this type of a whistling sound that you describe. This is a quick fix and should...

Hi there! It's likely that there is a ground connection compromised, loose, corroded, or power shortage. If the starter, battery, and the alternator are testing out to be fine then I suggest looking towards the connections and wiring. Start with...